Ground cover between bamboo

Hello,

Does anyone have any ideas for ground cover between bamboo clumps?

The garden points North East, with dry, slightly sandy soil and we have a line of bamboo at the back fence, where the lawn ends. Lots of weeds are coming up, which I'd like to subdue with another plant that can tolerate the shade between the bamboo. I'm considering heath pearlwort to cope with the shade and seem to merge with the edge of the lawn.

Any better ideas?

 

What sort of bamboo Nicki M?

 

Hi Verdun, it's phyllostachys aurea, planted in the ground in pots.

 

Hello Nicki
Ah! Glad they are in pots cos they are spreaders.

Hardy geraniums like Rozanne if soil is reasonable and not too shady.
Brunneras like Hadspen Cream, jack frost, etc. would do well there.
Ferns too for a nice contrast of form and foliage??
Or ophiopogon nigrescens.......black grass like foliage, evergreen and would look good with yellow bamboo I think

 

I had to Google the ophiopogon nigrescens. It's very striking. One of its suggested companions is artemisia. That would give another colour.

 

to the forum @Nicki M If you`re looking for that ''lawn effect'' I don`t think you will find anything better than heath pearlwort. There are other more colourful plants, as @Verdun has suggested, and they would make a nice alternative, but if you are talking about a large area, and just want low maintenance there I think you have found a good option.

 

I've got micro clover around some of mine. The idea is that it is a living mulch that adds nitrogen back into the ground. Bamboo seems happy. I cut it back with shears every now and again but let some flower for the bees. I put wood chips directly around the base of the bamboo to prevent it growing too close. Looks pretty lush and green most of the year round.

 

Thanks @Mike77 and @Tetters

 

Nicki, it is quite possible that your bamboo might manage to escape from the pots

 

Didnt reall want to say that but, yes, that is my concern too....viz., that those bamboos will escape into the soil. One piece of "free" root could run riot.

 

I hope not. At the time I accepted what the gardener advised. It's only now I'm getting more into gardening that I'm regretting that. I've already had to replace rotting smelling allium plants from near the seating area and tall grasses there that smack us in the face when the wind blows!

 

Move the alliums; ditto the grass Nicki M. It's all a learning curve. Think what else you would like there in their place

 

@Nicki M could you post a photo or two of your garden please. It is always easier to make suggestions for you if we can see what we`re on about
Whereabouts are you?

 

I'm in Hampshire.

Here's the back of the garden, which faces North East.

You'll see the lawn is suffering too but I'm not sure I'll win that battle this summer - and that's the husband's problem as he does the lawn stuff (he insisted on having one) and I do digging, planting, weeding and building sheds.

 

The lawn will recover NickiM.